Endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector and endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the present invention includes a cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section, a circulating section and a discharge section, wherein the discharge section communicates with the circulating section and includes a first channel that discharges a fluid R that passes through the circulating section into a pipe sleeve, a second channel that branches from the first channel and discharges the fluid R to the periphery of the pipe sleeve, and an opening/closing section that is provided in a branch section that branches from the first channel to the second channel or in the second channel, is freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate of a fluid and blocks the second channel when the flow rate of the fluid is a predetermined amount or higher.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2011/061098filed on May 13, 2011 and claims benefit of Japanese Application No.2010-174701 filed in Japan on Aug. 3, 2010, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connector that connects an endoscope and an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus, and an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

When cleaning or disinfecting the interior of an endoscope tube using acleaning/disinfecting apparatus, the operator connects acleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section provided at one endof an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector to a fluidsupply port of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus first.Furthermore, the operator connects a discharge section provided atanother end of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connectorto a pipe sleeve of the endoscope tube such as an air/water supply tubeand a suction tube provided inside the endoscope, formed on an outersurface of the endoscope.

As a result, a fluid such as cleaning liquid, disinfecting liquid,rinsing water, gas is supplied from the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus into the endoscope tube through the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector and an opening of the pipesleeve and the interior of the endoscope tube is therebycleaned/disinfected.

Here, to prevent a fluid from leaking from the discharge sectionconnected to the pipe sleeve, the discharge section has been providedwith a leak prevention member such as an O-ring. However, in recentyears, a configuration has been well known which provides no leakprevention member at the discharge section and intentionally causes asmall amount of fluid to leak from a gap between the pipe sleeve and thedischarge section so that the pipe sleeve and the periphery of the pipesleeve may be cleaned/disinfected using the leaked fluid during acleaning/disinfecting process by the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2009-195400 discloses a technique providing an opening/closing valvethat freely comes into contact with an opening edge of a pipe sleeve ina discharge section of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector connected to the pipe sleeve of an endoscope and normallyremains in non-contact with the opening edge by means of an urging forceof a spring. When a fluid is supplied into the discharge section at apredetermined flow rate or higher, the opening/closing valve moves inthe direction of the pipe sleeve against the urging force of the spring,thereby watertightly and airtightly contacts the opening edge of thepipe sleeve and when the fluid is supplied into the discharge section ata flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate, the opening/closingvalve moves apart from the pipe sleeve by means of the urging force ofthe spring and is kept in non-contact with the opening edge of the pipesleeve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to oneaspect of the present invention is an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connector that connects an endoscope and an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus and includes a cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connection section connected to the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus, a circulating section, one end of whichcommunicates with the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connectionsection, and in which a fluid supplied from the cleaning/disinfectingapparatus circulates, and a discharge section that is provided atanother end of the circulating section, is freely connectable to a pipesleeve of the endoscope, remains inside the pipe sleeve after theconnection and thereby discharges the fluid which passes through thecirculating section to the endoscope, wherein the discharge sectionincludes a first channel that communicates with the circulating sectionand discharges the fluid that passes through the circulating sectioninto the pipe sleeve of the endoscope and an opening/closing sectionthat is provided between the first channel and an inner wall of the pipesleeve, is freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate ofthe fluid, expands when the flow rate of the fluid is a predeterminedamount or higher, and closes a second channel that discharges the fluiddischarged from the first channel and located between the first channeland the inner wall of the pipe sleeve to a periphery of the pipe sleeveof the endoscope, and the discharge section includes a water controlsection that is provided in the first channel and repels the flow of thefluid and an opening that is provided in the first channel and exhauststhe fluid repelled by the water control section.

Furthermore, an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus according toone aspect of the present invention is provided with the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the abovedescribed one aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus provided with an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to an embodimentwith an endoscope immersed in a liquid stored in a cleaning/disinfectingtank;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating adischarge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector connected to a pipe sleeve of the endoscope in FIG. 1 when anopening/closing section is in a contracted state;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of a channel member in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating thedischarge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector connected to the pipe sleeve of the endoscope in FIG. 1 whenthe opening/closing section is in an expanded state;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating thedischarge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector according to an embodiment connected to the pipe sleeve of theendoscope when the opening/closing section is in a contracted state;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating thedischarge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector connected to the pipe sleeve of the endoscope when theopening/closing section is in an expanded state; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus together with the endoscope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that thedrawings are schematic ones and a relationship between the thickness andthe width of each member and the ratio of thickness or the like amongthe respective members are different from the real ones and it goeswithout saying that the drawings also include parts whose dimensionalrelationships and ratios are different among the drawings.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus provided with an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the presentembodiment with an endoscope immersed in a liquid stored in acleaning/disinfecting tank and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional viewschematically illustrating a discharge section of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector connected to a pipe sleeve ofthe endoscope in FIG. 1 when an opening/closing section is in acontracted state.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of a channel member in FIG. 2and FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe discharge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector connected to the pipe sleeve of the endoscope in FIG. 1 whenthe opening/closing section is in an expanded state.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector 1 is configured by including a cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnection section 3, a circulating section 2 and a discharge section 4as principal components thereof. This endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connector 1 connects an endoscope 10 and an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100.

The cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section 3 is provided atone end of the circulating section 2. The cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connection section 3 is freely connectable to any one of anair/water supply/forceps port 133, a forceps raising port 134 and awater leak detection port 135, all of which will be described later (seeFIG. 7 for all) provided on the apparatus body 200 of thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100.

One end of the circulating section 2 communicates with thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section 3. The circulatingsection 2 is a region where a fluid R (illustrated as a liquid inFIG. 1) circulates, which is supplied from each of the ports 133 to 135of the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 to which thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section 3 is connected.

Furthermore, the other end of the circulating section 2 communicateswith the discharge section 4. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, thedischarge section 4 is freely connectable to a pipe sleeve 11 of anoperation section 15 having an opening 11 k (see FIG. 2 for all) thatcommunicates with an endoscope tube 19 extending to an insertion portion14, the operation section 15 and a universal cord 16 (see FIG. 7 forall) in the endoscope 10 and is intended to discharge the fluid R thatpasses through the circulating section 2 to the endoscope 10. Examplesof the endoscope tube 19 include a known suction tube and an air/watersupply tube.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the discharge section 4 is configured byincluding a connector body 5, a channel member 7, a half portion on adistal end side of which is inserted into the connector body 5 and whichis connected to the other end of the circulating section 2 and anopening/closing section 6 which is freely attachable/detachable to/froman outer circumference of the channel member 7 in the connector body 5as principal components thereof. Since the opening/closing section 6 isfreely attachable/detachable to/from the outer circumference of thechannel member 7, the opening/closing section 6 can be replaced easily.

The channel member 7 is formed of, for example, an elongated cylindricalmember and a first channel A1 is formed inside the channel member 7. Thefirst channel A1 communicates with the circulating section 2 anddischarges the fluid R that passes through the circulating section 2 tothe endoscope tube 19 via the interior of the pipe sleeve 11 of theendoscope 10, that is, the opening 11 k.

Furthermore, a first water control section 7 b that repels the flow ofthe fluid R introduced into the first channel A1 is formed at a distalend side of the first channel A1 of the channel member 7. Furthermore,as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a plurality of openings 7 c thatcommunicate with the first channel A1 are formed at regular intervalsalong the outer circumferential direction of the channel member 7 on theouter circumferential side on the distal end side of the channel member7. The fluid R introduced into the first channel A1 and repelled fromthe first water control section 7 b is exhausted from the openings 7 c.

When the discharge section 4 is connected to the pipe sleeve 11, theconnector body 5 watertightly and airtightly contacts the top face of aflange section 11 f of the pipe sleeve 11 and is fixed to the flangesection 11 f by a hooking member (not shown) or the like. When thedischarge section 4 is connected to the pipe sleeve 11, the dischargesection 4 is positioned with respect to the pipe sleeve 11 in this way.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a second channel B is formedbetween the connector body 5 and the channel member 7 which branchesfrom the first channel A1 and discharges the fluid that passes throughthe circulating section 2 and the first channel A1 to the periphery ofthe pipe sleeve 11.

Furthermore, in a branch section 8 that branches from the first channelA1 of the connector body 5 to the second channel B, a second watercontrol section 5 a that branches the fluid R exhausted from the opening7 c to the second channel B is provided at a position facing the opening7 c.

The opening/closing section 6 is formed of a freelyexpandable/contractible member such as fluorine rubber, silicon rubberand ethylene propylene rubber. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, theopening/closing section 6 is located between the opening 7 c and thesecond water control section 5 a in the branch section 8 and formed, forexample, into a curved shape so that the distal end side thereof doesnot block the opening 7 c. The opening/closing section 6 may be locatedin the second channel B without being limited to be located in thebranch section 8.

Furthermore, the distal end side of the opening/closing section 6 is innon-contact with the opening 7 c of the channel member 7 and a regionfrom the opening 7 c to the distal end side, and because of thisnon-contact area, a first channel A2 is also formed between the distalend side of the opening/closing section 6 and a region from the opening7 c of the channel member 7 to the distal end side.

The opening/closing section 6 is in an expanded or contracted stateaccording to the flow rate of the fluid R that flows through the firstchannels A1 and A2. That is, when the flow rate of the fluid R thatflows through the first channels A1 and A2 exceeds a predeterminedamount, the opening/closing section 6 expands from a contracted state innon-contact with the second water control section 5 a as shown in FIG.2, comes into contact with the second water control section 5 a as shownin FIG. 4 and blocks the second channel B side while keeping thewatertight and airtight state.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the flow rate of the fluid R thatcauses the opening/closing section 6 to expand/contract will bedescribed using FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a circulation port 156 of a cleaning/disinfectingtank 50 in the apparatus body 200 of the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 communicates with each of the ports 133 to 135 via a circulationtube 210 and a pump 221, a flow rate sensor 240 and a CH valve 231 areinterposed in that order from the downstream side at midway positions ofthe circulation tube 210.

Furthermore, one end of a bypass tube 211 is connected to a positionbetween the flow rate sensor 240 and the CH valve 231 in the circulationtube 210 with a bypass valve 232 provided at some midpoint. The otherend of the bypass tube 211 is connected to an exhaust tube 212, one endof which is connected to an exhaust port 155 of thecleaning/disinfecting tank 50. An exhaust valve 233 and an exhaust pump222 are interposed downstream of the connection region at the other endof the bypass tube 211 of the exhaust tube 212.

Therefore, when the fluid R is supplied to only the endoscope tube 19using the first channels A1 and A2 without the fluid R leaking from thesecond channel B first, the pump 221 is driven by closing the bypassvalve 232 and opening the CH valve 231.

As a result, the fluid R in the cleaning/disinfecting tank 50 flows fromthe circulation port 156 through the circulation tube 210 from therespective ports 133 to 135 to the cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnection section 3, the circulating section 2 and the dischargesection 4, and is supplied into the endoscope tube 19 via the firstchannels A1 and A2, and the opening 11 k.

In this case, when the flow rate of the fluid R that flows through thefirst channel A2 exceeds a predetermined flow rate, as shown in FIG. 4,the fluid R that flows through the first channel A2 causes theopening/closing section 6 to expand and contact the second water controlsection 5 a watertightly and airtightly, and therefore the fluid R doesnot flow into the second channel B but is supplied into only theendoscope tube 19.

Thus, the case where the fluid R is supplied by causing theopening/closing section 6 to expand is suitable for high pressurecleaning of the endoscope tube 19 and cleaning using a gas/liquidtwo-phase flow or the like.

Next, the case where not only the endoscope tube 19 but also the pipesleeve 11 and the periphery of the pipe sleeve 11 arecleaned/disinfected by causing the fluid R to leak from the secondchannel B, the CH valve 231 is opened and the bypass valve 232 isopened.

As a result, as described above, the fluid R that flows through thecirculation tube 210 flows from the ports 133 to 135 to thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section 3, the circulatingsection 2 and the discharge section 4 and is supplied into the endoscopetube 19 through the first channels A1 and A2, and the opening 11 k, andalso a part thereof flows through the bypass tube 211. In this case, ifthe exhaust valve 233 is closed, the fluid R flowing through the bypasstube 211 is resupplied into the cleaning/disinfecting tank 50 from theexhaust port 155 through the exhaust tube 212.

Thus, the flow rate of the fluid R that flows through the first channelsA1 and A2 is smaller than when the bypass valve 232 is closed and isalso smaller than the predetermined flow rate, and therefore as shown inFIG. 2, the opening/closing section 6 contracts and the fluid R alsoflows through the second channel B. As a result, the fluid R is alsosupplied to the periphery of the pipe sleeve 11.

For this reason, the case where the opening/closing section 6 is causedto contract is suitable for cleaning/disinfecting of the pipe sleeve 11and the periphery of the pipe sleeve 11 in addition to normalcleaning/disinfecting of the endoscope tube 19.

As described above, by switching the opening/closing of the bypass valve232, it is possible to cause the opening/closing section 6 toexpand/contract. That is, it is possible to select whether the fluid Ris supplied into only the endoscope tube 19 or into not only theendoscope tube 19 but also the periphery of the pipe sleeve 11.

The method of controlling the flow rate of the fluid R by causing theopening/closing section 6 to expand/contract is not limited to theopening/closing of the bypass valve 232, but other techniques may alsobe used. For example, the pump 221 may be used to differentiate theamount of the fluid R supplied to the first channels A1 and A2 in thefirst place.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector 1 is provided with theopening/closing section 6 that expands/contracts according to the flowrate of the fluid R around the outer circumference of the channel member7 of the discharge section 4 connected to the pipe sleeve 11 of theendoscope 10 and the opening/closing section 6 is located in the branchsection 8 from the first channels A1 and A2 to the second channel B orin the second channel B.

According to this, when the fluid R is supplied only into the endoscopetube 19, the flow rate of the fluid R that flows through the firstchannels A1 and A2 is set to a predetermined amount or higher, andtherefore the opening/closing section 6 expands, contacts the secondwater control section 5 a and blocks the second channel B, making itpossible to supply the fluid R only into the endoscope tube 19.

Furthermore, when the fluid R is supplied not only into the endoscopetube 19 but also to the periphery of the pipe sleeve 11, the flow rateof the fluid R that flows through the first channels A1 and A2 is set tobe smaller than the predetermined amount, and the opening/closingsection 6 is thereby caused to contract and the second channel B isproduced between the opening/closing section 6 and the second watercontrol section 5 a, and it is thereby possible to supply the fluid Rnot only into the endoscope tube 19 but also to the periphery of thepipe sleeve 11 via the second channel B.

That is, whether to block the second channel B or not as theopening/closing section 6 expands or contracts can be determined using asimple configuration of changing the amount of supply of the fluid R.

As described above, it is possible to provide the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector 1 and the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 in a simple configuration capable ofswitching between a case where only the interior of the endoscope tube19 is cleaned/disinfected and a case where not only the interior of theendoscope tube 19 but also the pipe sleeve 11 and the periphery of thepipe sleeve 11 of the endoscope 10 are cleaned/disinfected.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating thedischarge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector according to the present embodiment connected to the pipesleeve of the endoscope when the opening/closing section is in acontracted state.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematicallyillustrating the discharge section of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector connected to the pipe sleeveof the endoscope when the opening/closing section is in an expandedstate.

The configuration of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector and the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus of thissecond embodiment is different from the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connector and the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus ofthe aforementioned first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 in thatthe discharge section of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusconnector is connected by being inserted in the pipe sleeve. Therefore,only this difference will be described and the same components as thosein the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals anddescriptions thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connector according to the present embodiment is also intendedto connect the endoscope 10 and the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 and is configured by including a cleaning/disinfectingapparatus connection section 3 (not shown), a circulating section 2 anda discharge section 24 as principal components thereof.

The discharge section 24 is provided in communication with the other endof the circulating section 2 and freely connectable to a pipe sleeve 21of an operation section 15 having an opening 21 k communicating with anendoscope tube 29 that extends to an insertion portion 14, the operationsection 15 and a universal cord 16 (see FIG. 7 for all) in the endoscope10. Examples of the pipe sleeve 21 include a forceps port 37 (see FIG.7) provided in the operation section 15 of the endoscope 10.

Furthermore, when connected to the pipe sleeve 21, the discharge section24 is positioned by being inserted in the pipe sleeve 21 through theopening 21 k. Thus, the discharge section 24 discharges the fluid R thatpasses through the circulating section 2 to the endoscope 10. Examplesof the endoscope tube 29 include a known suction tube and an air/watersupply tube.

The discharge section 24 is configured by including a connector body 25,a channel member 27, a half part of the distal end side of which isinserted into the connector body 25 and connected to the other end ofthe circulating section 2, and an opening/closing section 26 freelyattachable/detachable to/from an outer circumference of the channelmember 27 inside the connector body 25 as principal components thereof.Since the opening/closing section 26 is freely attachable/detachableto/from the outer circumference of the channel member 27, theopening/closing section 26 can be easily replaced.

The channel member 27 is formed of, for example, an elongatedcylindrical member and internally communicates with the circulatingsection 2 and is provided with a first channel A1′ that discharges thefluid R that passes through the circulating section 2 to the endoscopetube 29 via the interior of the pipe sleeve 21 of the endoscope 10, thatis, the opening 21 k.

Furthermore, a water control section 27 b which repels the flow of thefluid R introduced into a first channel A1′ is formed on the distal endside of the first channel A1′ of the channel member 27. A plurality ofopenings 27 c are formed on the outer circumferential side on the distalend side of the channel member 27 which exhaust the fluid R repelled bythe water control section 27 b from the first channel A1′ andcommunicate with the first channel A1′ along the outer circumferentialdirection of the channel member 27 at regular intervals.

The opening/closing section 26 is located between the channel member 27inserted in the pipe sleeve 21 and an inner wall 21 n of the pipe sleeve21, made of a freely expandable/contractible member such as fluorinerubber, silicon rubber, ethylene propylene rubber and formed into, forexample, a curved shape so that the distal end side thereof does notblock the opening 27 c as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

The distal end side of the opening/closing section 26 is in non-contactwith the opening 27 c of the channel member 27 and a region from theopening 27 c to the distal end side, and a first channel A2′ is alsoformed between the distal end side of the opening/closing section 26 anda region from the opening 27 c of the channel member 27 to the distalend side.

Furthermore, a second channel B′ is formed between the inner wall 21 nof the pipe sleeve 21 and the channel member 27, which branches from thefirst channel A1′ and discharges the fluid R that passes through thecirculating section 2 and the first channel A1′ to the periphery of thepipe sleeve 21. The opening/closing section 26 is freelyexpandable/contractible according to the flow rate of the fluid R thatflows through the first channels A1′ and A2′ as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.6 as in the case of the aforementioned first embodiment, and when theflow rate of the fluid R that flows through the first channels A1′ andA2′ exceeds a predetermined amount, the state changes from a contractedstate in which the opening/closing section 26 is in non-contact with theinner wall 21 n of the pipe sleeve 21 shown in FIG. 5 to a state asshown in FIG. 6 in which the opening/closing section 26 comes intocontact with the inner wall of the pipe sleeve 21 watertightly andairtightly thus blocking the second channel B′ as the opening/closingsection 26 expands.

A method of controlling the flow rate of the fluid R that causes theopening/closing section 26 to expand/contract is the same as that in thecase of causing the opening/closing section 6 to expand/contractaccording to the aforementioned first embodiment, and thereforedescriptions thereof will be omitted.

Thus, the present embodiment has shown that when connected to the pipesleeve 21, the discharge section 24 of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector is inserted into the pipesleeve 21 and the opening/closing section 26 provided in the dischargesection 24 that expands/contracts according to the flow rate of thefluid R, is attached to the channel member 27 so as to be locatedbetween the channel member 27 and the inner wall 21 n of the pipe sleeve21.

Thus, when the fluid R is supplied only into the endoscope tube 29, theflow rate of the fluid R that flows through the first channels A1′ andA2′ is set to a predetermined amount or higher and the opening/closingsection 26 thereby expands, comes into contact with the inner wall 21 nof the pipe sleeve 21 and blocks the second channel B′, and can therebysupply the fluid R only into the endoscope tube 29.

Furthermore, when the fluid R is supplied not only into the endoscopetube 29 but also to the periphery of the pipe sleeve 21, the flow rateof the fluid R that flows through the first channels A1′ and A2′ is setto be smaller than the predetermined amount, and the opening/closingsection 26 thereby contracts and the second channel B′ is producedbetween the opening/closing section 26 and the inner wall 21 n of thepipe sleeve 21, and therefore the fluid R can be supplied not only intothe endoscope tube 29 but also to the periphery of the pipe sleeve 21via the second channel B′.

As described above, the present embodiment can also obtain effectssimilar to those of the aforementioned first embodiment.

The configuration of the discharge section 24 of the second embodimentcan be used only when a sufficient space for the discharge section 24 tobe inserted can be secured inside the pipe sleeve 21 and theopening/closing section 26 does not contact the opening of the endoscopetube 29 formed in the inner wall 21 n inside the pipe sleeve 21.

This is because in the configuration in which the opening/closingsection 26 contacts the opening of the endoscope tube 29 inside the pipesleeve 21 when the opening/closing section 26 expands in the pipe sleeve21, the opening/closing section blocks the opening of the endoscope tube29 when the opening/closing section 26 expands in the pipe sleeve 21 andthereby prevents the fluid R from being supplied to the blockedendoscope tube 29.

Next, an example of the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 to which thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section 3 of theaforementioned endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connectoraccording to the first to second embodiments can be freely connectedwill be described using FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective viewillustrating an example of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatustogether with the endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 isan apparatus for cleaning or disinfecting the endoscope 10 after use andprincipal parts thereof are configured of an apparatus body 200 and atop cover 300 provided thereon which is a cover body connected theretoin a freely openable/closable manner via, for example, a hinge (notshown).

An accommodation section (not shown) is formed on the front (hereinafterreferred to as “front”) in the figure in proximity to an operator of theapparatus body 200 and, for example, in an upper part in the heightdirection Y of the left-half part in the width direction X of theapparatus body 200 and a detergent/alcohol tray 110 is disposed in theaccommodation section in a manner freely drawable forward from theapparatus body 200. Hereinafter, the direction connecting the front andthe rear of the apparatus body 200 will be referred to as “depthdirection Z” in the figure.

The detergent/alcohol tray 110 accommodates a detergent tank 110 a thatstores a detergent used to clean the endoscope 10 and an alcohol tank110 b that stores alcohol which is a liquid used to dry the endoscope 10after cleaning/disinfection, and since the detergent/alcohol tray 110 isfreely drawable forward in the depth direction Z, the liquid can bereplenished to a predetermined level to each tank 110 a or 110 b.

The detergent/alcohol tray 110 is provided with two window sections 110m and the window sections 110 m allow the operator to check theremaining amounts of detergent and alcohol stored in the tanks 110 a and110 b. The detergent is a concentrated detergent that is diluted to apredetermined concentration with tap water filtered through a feed waterfilter (not shown).

Furthermore, a cassette tray 120 is disposed on the front of theapparatus body 200, for example, in an upper part in the heightdirection Y of the right-half section in the width direction X in amanner freely drawable forward in the depth direction Z of the apparatusbody 200. The cassette tray 120 stores a disinfecting liquid cassette161 used to disinfect the endoscope 10.

Since the cassette tray 120 is freely drawable, it is possible to setthe disinfecting liquid cassette 161 in a predetermined way.

Furthermore, a sub-operation panel 130 is disposed on the front of theapparatus body 200 in an upper part in the height direction Y of thecassette tray 120 on which a display of the cleaning/disinfecting timeand a button for instructing heating of the disinfecting liquid or thelike are arranged.

Furthermore, a pedal switch 140 is disposed in a lower part in theheight direction Y on the front of the apparatus body 200 for theoperator to step thereon to cause the top cover 300 in the closedposition on the apparatus body 200 to open upward of the apparatus body200.

Furthermore, a main operation panel 250 is provided, for example, nearboth sides in the width direction X on the front side in the depthdirection Z in proximity to the operator on the top surface in theheight direction Y of the apparatus body 200, provided with settingswitches such as cleaning/disinfecting operation start switch, andcleaning/disinfecting mode selection switch of the apparatus body 200 ora switch to select one or both of the endoscope tubes 19 and 29 and pipesleeves 11 and 21 to be cleaned/disinfected.

Furthermore, a feed water hose connection port 131 is disposed on thetop surface in the height direction Y of the apparatus body 200 and onthe rear side facing the front in proximity to the operator in the depthdirection Z to supply tap water to the apparatus body 200 to which afeed water hose connected to the faucet is connected. A mesh filter forfiltering tap water may also be attached to the feed water hoseconnection port 131.

Furthermore, a cleaning/disinfecting tank 50 is provided insubstantially the center on the top surface in the height direction Y ofthe apparatus body 200 in which the endoscope 10 can be freelyaccommodated, an endoscope accommodation cavity of which isopened/closed with the top cover 300. The cleaning/disinfecting tank 50is made up of a tank body 150 and a terrace section 151 continuouslyprovided around the outer perimeter of the endoscope accommodationcavity of the tank body 150.

When the endoscope 10 after use is cleaned/disinfected, the tank body150 can freely accommodate the endoscope 10 and a bottom surface 150 twhich is a surface inside the tank of the tank body 150 is provided withan exhaust port 155 to exhaust the cleaning liquid, water, alcohol,disinfecting liquid or the like supplied to the tank body 150 from thetank body 150 or return the disinfecting liquid to the disinfectingliquid tank or return the fluid R flown from the aforementioned bypasstube 211 via the exhaust tube 212 to the cleaning/disinfecting tank 50.

Furthermore, a circulation port 156 is provided at an arbitrary positionon a peripheral side surface 150 s which is a surface inside the tank ofthe tank body 150 to supply the cleaning liquid, water, disinfectingliquid or the like supplied to the tank body 150 to the endoscope tubes19 and 29 provided inside the endoscope 10 via means (not shown) orresupply them from a feed water circulation nozzle 124 to the tank body150 via a mesh filter or the like. The circulation port 156 may beprovided with a mesh filter for filtering the cleaning liquid or thelike.

The aforementioned circulation port 156 may also be provided on thebottom surface 150 t of the tank body 150.

The provision of the circulation port 156 on the bottom surface 150 t ofthe tank body 150 can advance the timing of supplying the cleaningliquid, water, disinfecting liquid or the like to each tube of theendoscope 10 or resupplying them to the tank body 150. Furthermore, whenthe user replaces the mesh filter or the like provided on thecirculation port 156, there is an advantage that the operator can easilyapproach the mesh filter provided on the bottom surface.

A cleaning case 160 is disposed in substantially the center of thebottom surface 150 t of the tank body 150 of the cleaning/disinfectingtank 50.

The cleaning case 160 accommodates buttons of scope switches 17 or thelike of the endoscope 10 and removable parts disposed together with theendoscope 10. As a result, the buttons and removed parts are cleaned anddisinfected together with the endoscope 10.

A water level sensor 132 with a cover is provided at an arbitraryposition of the side surface 150 s of the tank body 150 for detectingthe level of the cleaning liquid, water, disinfecting liquid or the likesupplied to the tank body 150.

A detergent nozzle 122 for supplying a detergent from the detergent tank110 a diluted to a predetermined concentration with tap water to thetank body 150 by means of a detergent pump (not shown) and adisinfecting liquid nozzle 123 for supplying a disinfecting liquid froma disinfecting liquid tank which will be described later by means of adisinfecting liquid feed pump are disposed on a surface other than theterrace surface 151 t of the terrace section 151, that is, a surfaceparallel to the bottom surface 150 t of the tank body 150.

Moreover, a feed water circulation nozzle 124 for supplying water to thetank body 150 or for resupplying the cleaning liquid, water,disinfecting liquid or the like suctioned from the circulation port 156of the tank body 150 to the tank body 150 is disposed on the surfaceparallel to the bottom surface 150 t of the tank body 150 of the terracesection 151.

The detergent nozzle 122, the disinfecting liquid nozzle 123 and thefeed water circulation nozzle 124 may also be disposed on the terracesurface 151 t.

Furthermore, a plurality of (here 2) air/water supply/forceps ports 133for supplying the cleaning liquid, water, alcohol, disinfecting liquid,air, or the like to the endoscope tubes 19 and 29, a forceps raisingport 134 and a water leak detection port 135 are disposed on a surface151 f on the side opposite to a position 50 k in proximity to theoperator of the terrace surface 151 t of the terrace section 151.

Furthermore, the pipe sleeve 11 of the operation section 15 of theaforementioned endoscope 10 is exposed after each scope switch 17 isremoved from the operation section 15.

The configuration of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus isnot limited to the configuration in FIG. 7.

The aforementioned endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 hasbeen described as an apparatus that cleans or disinfects the endoscope10, but it goes without saying that the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 can also clean or disinfect other medical instruments suchas a treatment instrument.

1. An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector that connects an endoscope and an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus, comprising: a cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section connected to the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus; a circulating section, one end of which communicates with the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section, and in which a fluid supplied from the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus circulates; and a discharge section that is provided at another end of the circulating section, is freely connectable to a pipe sleeve of the endoscope, remains inside the pipe sleeve after the connection and thereby discharges the fluid which passes through the circulating section to the endoscope, wherein the discharge section comprises: a first channel that communicates with the circulating section and discharges the fluid that passes through the circulating section into the pipe sleeve of the endoscope; and an opening/closing section that is provided to be positioned between the first channel and an inner wall of the pipe sleeve when the discharge section and the pipe sleeve are connected, the opening/closing section being freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate of the fluid, expanding when the flow rate of the fluid is a predetermined amount or higher, and closing a second channel that is formed between the first channel and the inner wall of the pipe sleeve and discharges the fluid discharged from the first channel to a periphery of the pipe sleeve of the endoscope, and the discharge section comprises: a water control section that is provided in the first channel and repels the flow of the fluid; and an opening that is provided in the first channel and exhausts the fluid repelled by the water control section.
 2. The endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to claim 1, wherein the first channel is provided inside a channel member connected to the other end of the circulating section provided in the discharge section, and the opening/closing section is freely attachable or detachable with respect to the channel member. 